cognitive neuroscientist / fanatic runner

Feet in shining armor: Paleo Barefoots review

CHAINMAIL. Quick … what comes to mind? Medieval warriors? Knights in shining armor? Running shoes? (Okay, maybe not so much shoes.) Given traditional recommendations for cushioned, supportive running shoes, the thought of metal chains against naked feet might not elicit a strong sense of comfort or safety.

THE CONCEPT

Indeed, even I – a barefoot runner – was skeptical when I first heard of the Paleo Barefoots, a minimalist footwear constructed entirely of chainmail. Being a sucker for functionally and aesthetically innovative advances in minimalist running, I became immediately intrigued. Like most minimalist shoes on the market, the Paleos are designed to allow the foot move as freely and naturally as possible, with just enough protection against the elements. But what sets the Paleos apart is their unique design that, theoretically, will let them last a lifetime. Even the most minimal shoes – including the more popular “toe” shoes or huaraches – require a rubber-like sole at least several millimeters thick to confer durability and protection. In contrast, the Paleos’ construction from metal – yes, literally minuscule steel links – eliminates the need for a thicker sole. This design yields a sock-like slipper, only 1.4 mm thick, with ultimate flexibility and ground feel.

My Paleos@Ultra with green paws

However, while chainmail will win the battle against dirt, sand, twigs and grass, the victor of a metal-versus-concrete war is anyone’s call. Thus, Paleos are intended only for use on ‘natural’ surfaces, and aren’t recommended for running through the concrete jungle. Such a product sounds like a dream come true for any barefoot runner looking to venture into more challenging terrain. But the unfortunate reality is, dreams aren’t fulfilled for free. In fact, the Paleos carry perhaps the heftiest price tag on the minimalist shoe market – on the order of two- to three-hundred U.S. dollars, depending on the style and options.

THE PRODUCT

After reading several glowing reviews, I became curious – okay, no … obsessed – with trying the Paleos. I rationalized the sacrifice to my bank account with the reassurance that it would be a one-time cost, as the Paleos should last forever if cared for. After much deliberation, I bit the bullet and purchased my very own Paleos@Ultra. Considering the high price tag and the shipping time from Germany, I was nervous about their fit and my chosen options. To my relief, their customer service promptly evaluated my foot tracing and confidently offered a size recommendation.

My Paleos fit perfectly right out of the box.

When they arrived, I was first struck by the quality of not only the shoe, but also the thoughtful packaging, informative care guide and personal touches. My Paleos arrived packaged carefully in an exquisite metal box, along with instructions and a complementary chainmail key chain. My personalized Paleos were equipped with engraved metal plates, black elastic laces, mesh lining socks and ankle wraps, and green “paws”, designed for extra grip on rough rocky or urban terrain. Right out of the box, this was clearly a quality product.

PERFORMANCE

In all honesty, it took me three attempts to fully appreciate the Paleo experience. As they’re unlike any other footwear I’ve tried, it took me some time to refine my fit and preferences. When I first put them on, they felt loose and heavy on my foot as I walked around my apartment. I couldn’t imagine them performing well while running. My first test run was a brief trot on a sandy trail cut short by skin irritation at the back of my ankle. Feeling that my Paleos were too loose, I had tightened the laces too snuggly, to the point where they dug into my achilles. Discouraged but not defeated, I tried another day, loosening the fit and wearing the sock liners. This first mini test-mile was a success and I was ready for a real trial run.

Paleos with sock liners

As I am far from an experienced trail runner, I sought out a gentle trail for my test run. The terrain was mostly packed sand, but also included several unavoidable rocky patches and stretches of rough gravel. I had only previously attempted this trail in full shoes or Luna sandals, and would never consider tackling it barefoot. In fact, convinced the Paleos would not hold up against the gravel and rocks, I stashed my Lunas as back-up. To my great surprise, the Paleos handled even the roughest segments with ease. The fine gravel and stones, which would typically abrade my bare feet, didn’t phase me. Although I could feel the larger rocks, not once did I get a foot bruise, which I’ve become notorious for sustaining. About two miles in, I did feel some irritation around my achilles (and later discovered a small blister as a result), which was easily remedied after a quick adjustment to loosen the laces. As the run progressed, the experience became almost surreal, as I soon forgot I was even wearing footwear, yet still felt well protected from the rough earth under foot. I found myself sprinting the end of my five-mile test run, carefree and thrilled with the Paleos’ exceptional performance.

THE SERVICE

This review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the great folks behind the product. From start to finish, the owner himself made it a priority to respond to my questions and concerns via email and social media. They shipped my Paleos faster than promised, and they arrived in the U.S. remarkably quick. When they got stuck in customs, the owner looked into the issue and sent me shipping updates along with his apologies for the delay.

Sure, it may take some time for the mainstream running community and shoe market to embrace a metal sock as an acceptable option for running footwear. I don’t predict the PaleoBarefoots will soon be ranked among Runner’s World’s most popular shoes for comfort, style or affordability. But based on my initial impressions, I suspect there’s a niche of selective athletes who would be thrilled to discover this treasure. What barefoot runner isn’t looking for foot protection that not only embodies minimalism and functionality, but also the bonus perks of quality, creativity and beauty?

3 thoughts on “Feet in shining armor: Paleo Barefoots review”

[…] for a new pair of feet. The remaining 132 miles were traversed in socks, Sockwas, chainmail Paleo Barefoots, huaraches or Skoras. I reached peak mileage in November with a 45 mile week, also my highest […]

Hello, first of all, I apologize for my English by “Google Translate.”
I’d like to ask what the feeling of stepping on metal chains is.
The feeling is that it hurts the foot.
I know you’ve already said that it’s comfortable, but it’s hard to believe.
I’m looking for a shoe to be used on a boat that is cool, lightweight, protective, non-slip and vegan.
Vegan, I already know it’s <3. The rest is missing.
Thanks